Dramatic draw in sensational Bledisloe Cup opener

International rugby returned in sensational fashion at the Cake Tin in Wellington on Sunday morning. New Zealand and Australia fought to a 16-all dead heat in the opening match of the Bledisloe Cup. A precursor to the Rugby Championship, the two sides kept the ball alive until the 87th minute before the game ended in a dramatic finale.

The All Blacks got on the board first with phase play and quick hands creating an overlap for Jordie Barrett to score in the corner. It was too difficult an angle for the right-footer to make the conversion but the signs were good for his team.

It has been a long time coming, but here is the All Blacks FIRST try of 2020. 🎥: @skysportnz #NZLvAUS #BledisloeCup pic.twitter.com/uhDeHbXkJ3

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) October 11, 2020

Barrett made good on a penalty goal to stretch the lead beyond a converted try some 15 minutes later. It was erased by James O’Connor, however, with the Wallabies flyhalf knocking over an easy three of his own to make it 8-3 at the half-hour mark.

The captains each had their say at the breakdown with Sam Cane first winning a penalty for New Zealand, but Michael Hooper stole it back for Australia moments later. From an attacking lineout Folau Fainga’a peeled around but his inside pass went to nobody and instead Cane snapped up the free ball and set the All Blacks away.

Simple hands found Rieko Ioane wide open on the left side to race in for an easy try… or so it seemed. The match officials went upstairs to check with the TMO, and from the replay it emerged that in the midst of Ioane’s acrobatics he had lost control of the ball before the grounding and the try was waved off, with the halftime whistle blowing instead.

Just a couple minutes into the second half O’Connor had a shot at goal but could not find the mark. Instead the All Blacks slapped the Wallabies with a try from a set move. It was the same attack attempted by Fainga’a but Codie Taylor’s pass found its target in George Bridge. The winger raced clear through the gap and found Aaron Smith, who had the pace and presence to ground the ball despite Nic White’s best efforts to stop him.

What a start to the second half! A set piece play executed to perfection and finished off by @Te_Nug.

Flick over to @skysportnz for a massive second half RN!

All Blacks 13 – 3 Australia#NZLvAUS #BledisloeCup pic.twitter.com/kmTnWsgi82

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) October 11, 2020

Australia were down but not out. They suddenly hit a purple patch and scored twice in 10 minutes. O’Connor looped around to take a return pass from Matt To’omua and his miss-out pass put Marika Koroibete in space. Damian McKenzie was no match for the powerful Fijian, and Koroibete made his match fees with a classic winger’s finish.

Next it was the other Fijian flyer who would touch down. Again O’Connor’s footwork created space and New Zealand were on the back foot. Matt Philip carried on and when McKenzie’s hand dislodged the ball, White popped it off the deck to Filipo Daugunu who was ready and waiting to dive over on the left side. As he had earlier O’Connor couldn’t find the sticks but the scores were suddenly level.

Barrett missed a chance to nudge the All Blacks ahead and instead O’Connor took center stage with his second successful goal of the day. A chance at redemption came in the 79th minute, however, and this time Barrett was on target to set up a grandstand finish.

The Wallabies won a penalty on their side of halfway and with the rain howling down Hooper, in his 100th test, pointed at the uprights. Reece Hodge stepped up to take the kick and the audience gasped as the ball rang off both uprights but the flags stayed down. Australia regathered the ball but couldn’t find the winning score, and New Zealand’s counter-riposte was in turn stopped cold with O’Connor kicking the ball dead to concede the draw.

It is a game of millimetres.

🎥: @skysportnz #NZLvAUS #BledisloeCup pic.twitter.com/9S1zSo7Gqm

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) October 11, 2020

It was the first match in charge for both head coaches – New Zealand’s Ian Foster and Australia’s Dave Rennie. Neither have tested defeat and neither celebrate victory. Next week’s match at Eden Park in Auckland now takes in even greater importance.

 

SCORING

NEW ZEALAND 16
Tries – J. Barrett (9’), A. Smith (44’)
Cons – J. Barrett 0/2
Pens – J. Barrett 2/3 (26’, 79’)

AUSTRALIA 16
Tries – M. Koroibete (52’), F. Daugunu (62’)
Cons – J. O’Connor 0/2
Pens – J. O’Connor 2/3 (30’, 74’)

 

TEAMS

NEW ZEALAND
1 Joe Moody (17 Karl Tu’inukuafe 58’), 2 Codie Taylor (16 Dane Coles 58’), 3 Ofa Tu’ungafasi (18 Tyrel Lomax 64’), 4 Patrick Tu’ipulotu (19 Tupou Vaa’i 75’), 5 Sam Whitelock, 6 Shannon Frizell (20 Hoskins Sotutu 64’), 7 Sam Cane (capt.), 8 Ardie Savea, 9 Aaron Smith (21 TJ Perenara 74’), 10 Richie Mo’unga, 11 George Bridge, 12 Jack Goodhue, 13 Rieko Ioane (22 Anton Lienert-Brown 56’), 14 Jordie Barrett, 15 Damian McKenzie (23 Caleb Clarke 68’)

AUSTRALIA
1 James Slipper (17 Scott Sio 60’), 2 Folau Fainga’a (16 Jordan Uelese 60’), 3 Taniela Tupou (18 Allan Ala’alatoa 52’), 4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (20 Rob Valetini 74’), 5 Matt Philip, 6 Harry Wilson (19 Rob Simmons 66’), 7 Michael Hooper (capt.), 8 Pete Samu, 9 Nic White (21 Jake Gordon 72’), 10 James O’Connor, 11 Marika Koroibete, 12 Matt To’omua, 13 Hunter Paisami (23 Reece Hodge 74’), 14 Filipo Daugunu, 15 Tom Banks

Not used: 22 Noah Lolesio

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistants: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand) & Angus Gardner (Australia)
TMO: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)